Generosity on full display at Charity Checkstop

Over 100 vehicles passed through Bonnyville’s Charity Checkstop on Saturday, graciously donating money, toys, and food to various non-profit organizations. The event, hosted by Bonnyville Victim Services displayed what Bonnyville is all about, community, says Debbie Winestone with Victim Services.

“Once again, the community made it a success,” Winestone says from 12:00 – 2:00 pm on Saturday volunteers braved the deep cold weather to collect donations. Toys for Santa’s Elves, Food for the Bonnyville Food Bank and money that will go to help Victim Services continue to provide important programming.

“Fire, EMS, RCMP, they all come out to support it. Same with Victim Services, it’s volunteers that come out and stand in the cold; it’s great that they’re able and willing to do that,” Winestone says every year the core service organizations in Bonnyville donate their time to help make the event a success. “The business community too, there’s a lot of support.”

$4,500 cash was donated during the two hours, along with two car loads of toys for Santa’s Elves and food bank donations. Admittedly, there was not as many food bank donations as the checkstop has collected in the past, says Winestone. There could be a variety of reasons for that, including, other charity food drives that are happening in the community.

With that being said, Bonnyville Victim Services considers this year’s Charity Checkstop to be a huge success and thanks the community, volunteers and donors.